Children’s Hospital Will Light It Up Blue for Autism in Long Beach

Last year, more than 35 exterior lights illuminated the Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach Pavilion for Light It Up Blue.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around 1 in 88 American children are identified with an autism spectrum disorder – a ten-fold increase in prevalence in 40 years. To raise awareness of this prevalent disease, Miller Children’s Hospital Long Beach will be participating in the international “Light it up Blue” initiative campaign.

Miller Children’s celebrates “Light it up Blue” along with the international autism community, in commemoration of the United Nations – sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day, through Autism Speaks. Miller Children’s will be one of only a select few organizations in Southern California that will be lighting it up blue, joining 7,000 landmarks and buildings in 90 countries, such as the Empire State Building in New York and the Great Buddha of Hyogo in Japan.

Miller Children’s is a leader in autism care and awareness because of the Stramski Children’s Developmental Center — one of only two centers in California to have a Fragile X Clinic, with families seeking specialized care from all over the Southwest. Fragile X syndrome is the most common cause of inherited intellectual disability and the most commonly known genetic cause of Autism. The Stramski Center is a comprehensive center that cares for children – from birth to age 21 – with conditions, such as autism, Fragile X, ADD/ADHD, sleep disorders and cleft lip and palate.

During the month of April, Autism Awareness Month, Miller Children’s will be launching its “Light it up Blue” Autism Campaign to show its commitment and passion toward autism awareness and encourage the community to join the cause. Not only will Miller Children’s be lighting up the hospital blue, but it also will be lighting its website and Facebook page blue.

A “Light it up Blue” Facebook contest will take place encouraging the community to raise awareness for autism, and have an opportunity to win four loge tickets to an upcoming L.A. Dodgers game. The contest will begin on Tuesday, April 1 and conclude on Wednesday, April 30 at 5 p.m. The winner will be chosen at random and they will be announced on the Miller Children’s Facebook page during the first week of May.

To enter the contest, snap a blue photo to show how you “Light it up Blue” for autism awareness. Participants also can snap a photo of Miller Children’s lit up blue at night, or a photo of any Miller Children’s print ads in local newspapers or Miller Children’s ads on LB Transit buses. Upload your photo to the Miller Children’s Facebook timeline or tag @MillerChildrensHospital Please take all photos safely.

In addition, a “Light it up Blue” event will take place on Wednesday, April 2, Autism Awareness Day, at noon in front of the Miller Children’s Pavilion. All employees, autistic patients, their families and community members are encouraged to wear blue – and you don’t have to be a patient of Miller Children’s to participate. Gary Feldman, M.D., medical director, Stramski Center, will speak on the impact of autism and attendees will take a group photo and receive a special commemorative gift.

Be a part of the Facebook contest, or join Miller Children’s at their event, in its mission to get 500 people to “Light it up Blue” and to help people understand and spread awareness about autism.